Agenda item

Report of Pete Fahy, Director of Adult Services

The Board considered a report of Pete Fahy, Director of Adult Services which provided an update on the current service provision and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Adult Social Care in the city.

The report indicated that Adult Social Care services had, in the main, continued to operate throughout the pandemic. This had been enabled by several significant measures being in place, including; comprehensive dynamic risk assessments, infection prevention and control processes and systems, supply and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the offer of alternative access to services via digital and self-services options. New ways of working had relied on digital agility and the flexibility and overarching good will of both the internal/external social care workforce and residents to support the service. 

In the first wave of the pandemic some services ceased or were reduced due to the requirement for social distancing and other infection control measures.  The implementation of Care Act Easements in April 2020 enabled the City Council to make prioritisation decisions that would otherwise be in breach of the Care Act 2014. This was a necessary and short-term measure to direct resource to most in need. Following wave one services were re-opened or reinstated to wherever this could be done in a Covid compliant way, with the necessary infection prevention and control measures in place. Care Act easements had not been required beyond the first wave of the pandemic.

Adult Social Care operations had been and continued to be significantly impacted in a number of key areas including:

Commissioning - The Commissioning Team had provided additional support to the external provider market throughout the pandemic across a number of priorities. Also maintaining day services and providing respite and carer support had required changes to operating processes with reductions in numbers of those people accessing services to enable safe practices.

Financial Support to the market - The Commissioning Team had worked with finance to manage additional financial support to the market from the Governments Infection Control Fund Grants (£5.6m) as well as a scheme of provider relief to cover the additional costs of Covid (£0.77m).

Supporting NHS partners - The social care team based at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire had been operating seven days a week since March, 2020 which required revised working patterns and changes in working practices. There had been significant pressure on the team - during the six week period commencing 1 December 2020 the number of referrals into the Hospital Social Work Team showed an increase of 40% compared to the same period the previous year.

Community Social Work - Adult Social Care front door demand initially saw a gradual decline in completed contact assessments (referrals), since the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. The number of ‘involvements’, anyone requesting support was broadly similar to pre covid-19. Social Work staff continued to work from home and do as many of their duties from home as possible and only undertaking face to face assessments where necessary using appropriate PPE and safety measures.

Shielding - In addition to business as usual operations, Adult Social Care had undertaken a lead role in co-ordinating support for all 3 national lockdown periods, which advised Clinically Extremely Vulnerable residents to shield. The work was a significant undertaking.

Financial impact of Covid-19 - Whilst the immediate financial impacts of covid were being supported by short term grants the longer term position was much less certain.

Workforce - The impact of Covid 19 upon the adult social care workforce had created higher levels of absences due to sickness or self-isolation.  Staff had to date been responsive and accommodating of continual changes and additional expectations including; 7 day working, working in different roles or settings and altered working patterns. The support offered to staff was outlined.

Members asked about the current position relating to patients who had been in hospital with covid and then being able to transfer back to care homes, in light of the indemnity concerns and the need to free up hospital beds.

Councillor Mutton, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and the Chair, Councillor Caan, placed on record their thanks to all Social Care staff for all their work during the pandemic.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.

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